Gordon L. Claar

October 31, 2009 at 12:00 am

Gordon L. Claar, of South Bristol, beloved husband of Janet Claar and devoted father to Deborah Claar, passed away on Oct. 2 at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta.

The son of Ralph and Esta (Burgess) Claar, he grew up in Oberlin, Kan. and attended Kansas University for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served in both WWII and the Korean War before being honorably discharged in 1952.

He and his first wife, Lorraine Pearse Claar, moved to Burlington, Mass. in 1957 where he fell in love with the sea and became an avid fisherman and scuba diver.

He worked for IBM, first as an electrical engineer and then as a computer engineer, for 35 years.

He married Janet Tibbetts Claar in 1983 and they moved to South Bristol in 1987. He became a first responder and EMT for the town, and later became a member of the historical society. He served as the Treasurer for the Union Congregational Church for 12 years.

He was always generous, loyal, honest and kind; a gentle soul who will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to cross his path.

Service to celebrate his life 2 p.m., Sun., Oct. 11 at the Union Congregational Church in South Bristol.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Union Congregational Church, P.O. Box 59, South Bristol, ME 04568.

Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.StrongHancock.com.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.